DEVICE FOR CAPTURING INSECTS

• US 20110088309A1
• Filed: 10/05/2010
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Emory University
• Original Assignee: Emory University
• Inventors: Vazquez-Prokopec, Gonzalo M., Galvin, William A., Kitron, Uriel
• Application Number:
  US12/898,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20110088309A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/107
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 3/005 Manual suction tools for catching insects

Abstract

In one aspect, a device for capturing at least one living subject is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device has a housing means with a body portion defined between a first end and a second end and forming a bore inside along the longitudinal axis. An airflow generation means and a connected driving means are disposed within the housing means, and a collection means with a filter portion is received at least partially within the housing means. A handle means is connected to the housing means, and a power source means is connected to the driving means and physically separated from the housing means.

Claims

1. A device for capturing at least one living subject, comprising:

(a) a housing means having a first end defining a first opening, an opposite second end defining a second opening, and a body portion defined between the first end and the second end and forming a bore therein along the longitudinal axis;

(b) an airflow generation means disposed within the housing means;

(c) a driving means disposed within the housing means and operatively associated with the airflow generation means;

(d) a collection means received at least partially within the housing means, having a first end defining an opening proximate the first opening of the housing means, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined between the first end and the second end, and wherein at least one of the second end and the body portion comprises a filter portion;

(e) a handle means connected to the housing means;

(f) a power source means operatively associated with the driving means and physically separated from the housing means.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one living subject is an insect.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the housing means is substantially circular.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the body portion of the housing means is substantially cylindrical along the longitudinal axis.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the driving means is attached to an inner surface of the body portion of the housing means.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the handle means extends from the housing means in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing means.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the handle means is attached to an external surface of the housing means.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the power source means comprises a battery.

9. A device for capturing at least one insect, comprising:

(a) a housing having a first end defining a first opening, an opposite, second end defining a second opening, and a body portion defined between the first end and the second end and forming a bore therein along the longitudinal axis;

(b) an airflow generator disposed within the housing means and having an electrically-powered fan that is operatively associated with the housing;

(c) a driver disposed within the housing means and having an electric motor that is electrically connected to the electrically-powered fan of the airflow generator;

(d) a collector received at least partially within the housing, having a first end defining an opening that is proximate to the first opening of the housing, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined between the first end and the second end, and wherein at least one of the second end and the body portion comprises a filter;

(e) a handle attached proximate to the second end of the housing;

(f) a portable power source electrically connected to the driver and physically separated from the housing; and

(g) an adjustable length shaft having a first end that is selectively attachable to the handle, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined between the first end and the second end and defining a bore therein along the longitudinal axis.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising an electrical power cord received at least partially inside the bore of the adjustable length shaft, having a first end electrically coupled with the driver and an opposite, second end electrically coupled with the portable power source.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the filter of the collector is adapted for blocking the passage of insects and allowing the passage of air.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein at least a part of the handle is adapted for being engageable by a human user.

13. The device of claim 9, further comprising a portable container adapted for at least one of containing the portable power source and physically supporting the portable power source.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the portable container comprises a harness adapted for being engageable by a human user.

15. A capturing means for capturing at least one living subject, comprising:

(a) a housing means;

(b) an airflow generation means received at least partially within the housing means, for creating a vacuum force for;

(i) causing air and at least at least one living subject to flow into the housing means;

(ii) causing at least a portion of the air flowing into the housing means to flow through the housing means; and

(iii) causing at least a portion of the air flowing through the housing means to flow out of the housing means;

(c) a driving means attached within the housing means and operatively associated with the airflow generation means, for driving the airflow generation means;

(d) a collection means received at least partially within the housing means, for retaining the at least one living subject flowing into the housing means inside the housing means;

(e) a handle means attached to the housing means for physically supporting the housing means; and

(f) a power source means operatively associated with the driving means and physically separated from the housing means, for supplying power to the driving means.

16. The capturing means of claim 15, wherein the airflow generation means is electrically connected to the driving means.

17. The capturing means of claim 15, wherein the driving means is electrically connected to the power source means.

18. The capturing means of claim 15, further comprising an adjustable length extension means that is selectively attachable to the handle means, for adjustably providing a separation distance between the housing means and a human user and for physically supporting the housing means.

19. The capturing means of claim 15, wherein the power source means is a portable source of electrical power.

20. The capturing means of claim 19, further comprising a harness means for attaching the power source means to a human user.